The centre-back is hot property this winter, and City are reportedly going up against Barcelona and Chelsea to secure his signature.

Writes Charles Reynolds: “The centre-back has had a great start to the La Liga season, playing every minute of Villarreal's games, and he has reportedly started to attract the interest of bigger clubs.

“Villarreal have had five clean sheets already this season and are sitting in a slightly surprising fifth place in the table, thanks in part to the defensive efforts of Musacchio.”

Remember, as ever, nothing is confirmed until you read it right here on mcfc.co.uk!

Meanwhile, City’s last match before Christmas takes place at Craven Cottage tomorrow, and John Arne Riise is keen to point out Fulham won’t be handing out any early gifts.

The former Liverpool man has his eye on all three points when the Blues come to town, before the Cottagers face a run of three crucial games against teams lower down the table.

John Dillon reports: “A 6ft 1in slab of uncompromising muscle with a deft touch, Negredo could fire City to the top of the table tomorrow courtesy of their huge goal difference, if Liverpool fail to beat Cardiff.

“‘It would have been a massive coup if we had got him,’ recalls Brown, now managing Southend United. “’was going nowhere at the time and we were trying to uncover little gems. The chairman, Paul Duffen, went to the Bernabeu and we had a deal set up.

“‘You look at Negredo now and he is on fire. When you look at forwards like that, you are looking for technical ability. But the bottom line is they have to be able to put up with the rigours of the Premier League. Negredo is made for it.’”